Director Marty Wallis brings Dracula from page to stage

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Director Marty Wallis has based his production of “Dracula” on Bram Stoker’s original text of journal entries, letters and newspaper clippings to produce a nightmare journey through the landscape of gothic horror. He brings his production to the Dancing Goat Theater stage Oct. 11 – 26, as Performing Arts North opens its season.

The spellbinding narrative of “Dracula” and its unexpected surprises are guaranteed to make audiences’ blood run cold. It’s the perfect show for Halloween – thrills, chills and great literature all in one.

Conceivably, no other single work of horror fiction has had a greater impact than Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Published in 1897, Stoker’s vision of the vampire, drawn from Romanian folklore, portrays well what a “real” vampire is like: evil, cruel, and blood thirsty.

Set in Transylvania and London, “Dracula” follows young solicitor Jonathan Harker to the depths of vampire country, where he innocently unleashes the undead on his fiancée, Mina, and her closest friend, the wealthy young Lucy Westenra.

The virtuous are tested, and found wanting – wanting Count Dracula, that is.

The evil count seduces with abandon – Lucy, Mina and Harker himself – and his kisses are forever. Some victims are fed, some fed upon, others merely extinguished. Can the light banish this force of dark sensuality?

Ah, the play’s the thing, and it tells all in the end.

Performing Arts North (PAN) is a nonprofit theater organization that offers classes, workshops and performing opportunities in all aspects of drama and theater.

Throughout the year, PAN produces Shakespearean productions offering high school and college students a chance to perform classical theater as well as new productions that offer thoughtful, challenging theater for adults.

Children also have the opportunity to perform in a series of children’s shows that encourages learning and exposure to other cultures through their favorite children’s stories.